CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CENTRAL ASIA IS FULL OF HOPE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - At 2:00 p.m. at Astana's apostolic nunciature, the Pope met with the eight bishops and apostolic administrators of Central Asia - four from Kazakhstan, and four from the republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - and with the cardinals and bishops of his entourage.

In his discourse, John Paul II affirmed that though "the Catholic Church in Central Asia is only a little plant, she is full of hope. ... The long years of Communist dictatorship, during which so many of the faithful were deported to the gulags set up in these lands, caused much suffering and bereavement. How many priests, religious and laity paid for their faithfulness to Christ with unimaginable suffering, and even the sacrifice of their lives!"

"The priority pastoral aims of your apostolic mission" he said, "should be the spreading, with all your energies, of the Gospel proclamation and the continuing consolidation of the Church's organization. The recent establishment of the Apostolic Administrations and the Missions 'sui iuris', by means of which the Church has gained a visible and solid structure, heralds the beginning of a promising time of evangelization." The Holy Father thanked "the priests and men and women religious who have left their native countries to offer themselves for the missionary task in these lands."

After inviting the pastors to be united among themselves, collaborating effectively, he said, "Although you are geographically far away, you are in the heart of the Pope who appreciates your untiring apostolate."

"The long winter of communist domination" has led, he affirmed, to "a scarcity of ideals which makes people particularly vulnerable to the myths of consumerism and hedonism imported from the West. These are social and spiritual challenges which call for a courageous missionary impulse."

John Paul II exhorted the prelates to "pay close attention to the formation of candidates to the priesthood and religious life," and expressed his "great pleasure at the completion of the seminary in Karaganda. ... As the seminary of all of Central Asia, it is a sign of effective cooperation between your Churches."

"Give special attention," he continued, "to the training and apostolate of the laity. ... and ecclesial Movements and new Communities. Their presence, spirit of initiative and specific charisms are a source of wealth to be valued."

The Holy Father concluded by encouraging the promotion of ecumenical dialogue with the members of the Orthodox Church, saying, "May your mutual relations be characterized by warmth and respect. ... Respect and dialogue should also be fostered in relation to the Muslim community, with those who belong to other religions and with those who profess themselves to be non-believers."

After the meeting, the Pope travelled to the presidential palace for a courtesy visit to the president of the republic, Nursultan Abishevich Nazabayev.

Though no speeches were scheduled, both the president and the Pope made off-the-cuff remarks in the presence of their entourages.

John Paul II, speaking Italian, thanked Divine Providence "for having allowed me to come here and be here. In recent days some people said such a trip would not have been possible because of the tragic events which happened in the United States. But, as you can see, it was possible, thanks to God!"

Saying that it was the first time he found himself "in this part of the world, in Central Asia," he mentioned Fr. Bukowinski, "well known here," who was deported from Poland to the Soviet Union and died in Kazakhstan. He said that this priest "was my first source of information about Kazakhstan."

The Holy Father expressed joy that his visit coincided with the nation's 10th anniversary of independence and said he hoped "this sovereignty would be lasting, fruitful and ever fuller."

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